Kydis Watts

KYDIS WATTS – One Sheet
Musician & Producer
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Contact: penz.watts@gmail.com

── BIOGRAPHY ──

At just 16 years old, Auckland-based artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Tipene-St Stephens student Kydis Watts is breathing fresh, independent life into modern neo-soul. Drawing deep inspiration from the timeless, laid-back pocket of icons like
D’Angelo and Erykah Badu, Kydis crafts music designed for the ultimate "head-bop,
face-scrunch" groove. Completely self-produced from his home studio, his tracks are defined by absolute instrumental freedom and fearless sonic experimentation.
Refusing to be bound by standard structures, Kydis treats both his instruments and
his voice as evolving, fluid landscapes. The result is a sophisticated, deeply soulful
sound that honor's the architects of classic R&B while pushing boldly into the
future.

CURRENT FOCUS - LATEST RELEASE. BLACK & GOLD. Composed, written, produced by Kydis Watts            Kydis Watts brings a raw, self-produced authenticity to the modern R&B, soul, and hip-hop landscape. Written, composed, and recorded entirely in his bedroom studio, his latest release, Black & Gold, serves as a poignant, high-energy homage to his boarding school brothers at St Stephen’s College (Tipene) during his final year alongside them. Balancing smooth vocal soul with crisp, driving beats, the track captures the deep-rooted brotherhood, shared history, and bittersweet pride of closing an unforgettable chapter. Black & Gold is currently awaiting judging in the prestigious Play It Strange National Songwriting Competition, signaling the arrival of an independent artist who controls every layer of his sound.

TE TUKANGA O NEHE-BY TĀWAI KINGI. Written, composed by Tāwai Kingi. Original track produced by KW      Beyond his solo craft, Kydis Watts actively operates as a creative catalyst and producer for emerging talent within Aotearoa's music scene. His production work takes center stage on a deeply resonant R&B/Soul waiata written by his Tipene brother, Tāwai Kingi as a moving tribute to his late Grandmother. Expanding their creative synergy the duo also co-collaborated on the track MAKAURAU. Beyond the mixing desk, Kydis serves as a direct mentor and guide to Tāwai; helping him to unlock his innate musical gifts, navigate the foundational pathways of the NZ music industry and establish his own distinct voice as a rising independent artist.

MAKAURAU. Co-collabaration Tāwai Kingi & Kydis Watts. Produced by KW. Release Date: August 31.
The Vibe: A mesmerising blend of deep, late-night neo-soul groove and rich cultural
storytelling. Built on a foundation of D’Angelo-inspired swing, Makaurau moves
with a heavy, hypnotic pocket, layered with organic keys and soulful, fluid guitar
lines.
The Story: Original track; composed, recorded, and produced in Kydis’s bedroom studio,
the track is a collaborative masterclass in creative freedom between two young
artists. Both Kydis and Tāwai Kingi wrote and performed their own verses, treating
their voices as fluid instruments.
The Standout Feature: Tāwai Kingi anchors his verse and chorus using his family’s
ancestral tauparapara in te reo Māori. Set against Kydis’s sophisticated, smoky R&B
production and jazz-inflected keyboards, the result is a striking, deeply moving
fusion of heritage and modern soul.